And so Supt. Dr. Brian Smith is headed for the executive directorship of the Indiana School Boards Association, having been at the helm of Hamilton Southeastern Schools since 2009. He resigned last week, and he will depart in September. His term here wasn’t nearly long enough, in our opinion, but who’s to blame a guy for taking a position about which he is just as passionate as he is with respect to our schools, staff and students? In a statement, Smith wrote: “I believe this a rare opportunity to be a voice for Indiana public education on a statewide basis. In addition, recent changes in the state teachers’ retirement fund have prompted many long-time, seasoned educators, to consider retiring early. This combination of circumstances led me to conclude that this was the right time for me to make this career change.” His many accomplishments in his time here combine to form a standard against which his successor will be judged. Beating back funding roadblocks, he and his teams found ways to enrich the education process, not the least of which includes the HSE 21 Initiative, which teachers have embraced. With it, students are being taught elevated critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. The program, Smith stated, uses “innovative methods and collaborative activities that will prepare (students) to enter careers and professions and will serve them throughout their lifetimes.” HSE, under his watch, also expanded building capacity to house 21,000-plus students, which, Smith adroitly points out, dwarfs the populations of many colleges and universities across the nation. He will sail away into his new position after Sept. 1. He has vowed to help with any transition. Smith’s has been an impressive set of accomplishments. Now it is up to the HSE School Board of Trustees to find his replacement – and soon, at that.
